I hope those matches will be with crowds as they will be tension filled crackers! Well maybe not Newcastle!
It's easy to forget that we still need to play 3 of the top 4 (plus arsenal who seem to be finding their feet). Brighton only play 2 of the top 4. Their last 3 games are Southampton Newcastle and Burnley. Arguably an easier run in than us.
Said this in December, way more interesting than being safe by Jan and then going through the motions.
Got a feeling Dean Smith will be sacked this week and that might give Villa a chance. We have to capitalise on our 5 remaining home games.
Too much time on my hands this morning. But based on (only) the current positions of each team's opponents with one point per current league position (most is better), Spam have the easiest run in (102), then Norwich (99), then Watford (91), and the Villa (77) but they have an extra game v Sheff Utd, then Brighton (77), then Muff (74) with the most difficult run in (on paper). Daft exercise really
I also have too much time on my hands, so I thought I'd produce the complete run-in. This helps to put into context what the games mean to teams not under threat of relegation.
Our home games in April provide us with the perfect opportunity to pick up two or three wins. If we do we will stay up. If we don't get the wins then we don't deserve to stay up. Smith will go soon - a well timed new manager influence could prove crucial to Villa. Bournemouth will get out of it. I still think it'll be us and Brighton to join Norwich.
I still think we are about 50/50 but every passing game is getting more vital to win. If we are still stride for stride with 2 games to go vs MC & arsenal, we've effectively had it.
I agree with that. We've got by far the hardest final two games out of all the other relegation contenders. But are we likely to be 7 points clear over the next 7 matches? That's going to be tough. For the record, the final two matches for the other relegation candidates are:- Brighton - Newcastle home, Burnley away West Ham - Man Utd away, Villa home (which could be a loser goes down match) Bournemouth - Southampton home, Everton away Villa - Arsenal home, West Ham away Norwich - Burnley home, Man City away Looking at that, we may not need to be 7 points clear (that will obviously mean mathematical survival), but I think all those sides around us are capable of picking up at least 3 points from their final two games, whereas we are very unlikely to do so. Having said that, if we are 5 points clear with just two to play, I think we'll probably be ok. That West Ham v Villa game is very intriguing. Basically if we're 5 points clear of these two, with two to play, then they both cannot mathematically overtake us. Assuming Norwich will be gone by then, then it's only Bournemouth or Brighton to be concerned about. Get 7 points clear of either one of these two and 5 clear of Villa and West Ham, then we'll be mathematically safe with two to play.
Neil Lennon wants the Scottish Premiership to be decided by points per game average.... If that was applied to the Prem we would stay up above Villa by 0.92 to 0.89 I imagine they will do something more complicated than that like a weighted average to reflect opposition played to date Shambles
Finish it completely or void it completely. Points averages, extending the size of leagues etc is ridiculous. If it can’t be finished in its entirety then scrap it.
I wouldn't be to worried if we went into the Arsenal game needing a result. What worries me is effin up those home games in April. If played obviously.
Why are you bumping old stuff? This was ages ago. We're now in June......don't you know the season ended in early May?
I didn't realise that Villa and West Ham met on the final day. I'd love it if a draw relegates them both.
It's not good news. Whoever needs the points will get them. The chances of them both needing points is very slim.
I know it's not much to show for a season but whenever I see that single 'L' any of Liverpool's summary for this years league results it always cheers me up.
This also applies to mid table clashes in my opinion. With the likelihood of a dent in clubs' incomes next season because of no ticket sales each place climbed in the table would mitigate it somewhat.
I can't see why any of the mid-table sides will treat this like anything more than a set of training matches. Take the Bundesliga. Freiburg, Koln, Frankfurt, and especially Schalke just don't give a ****. Whoever plays Newcastle, Palace, Everton, Southampton or Burnley have hit the jackpot.
Not sure, they have a weird system with historical league positions... But I doubt any players are motivated by that when their remit was to avoid relegation.
With so many unknowns I couldn’t begin to predict what may happen. I don’t think any team has a run-in that’s especially harder or easier than anyone else’s. Only thing that’s annoying is I had it in my mind that Bournemouth had a bitch of a schedule to finish the season but actually it’s not that bad. They may not be guaranteed relegation after all. A pity.